U.S. patent application number 10/159984 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for teledentistry consult management system and method.
Invention is credited to Kudryk, Val L., Pajak, John C., Rocca, Mitra A..
Application Number | 20030078806 10/159984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23134143 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030078806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kudryk, Val L. ; et
al. |
April 24, 2003 |
Teledentistry consult management system and method
Abstract
The invention provides a store and forward type electronic
consult record with sufficient information for a dental specialist
or consulting provider to render a diagnosis and to electronically
submit that diagnosis back to the referring provider either in real
time or at a later time. Accordingly, the invention provides a
series of user interfaces or templates for collecting data from the
referring provider relating to the patient and the patient's
condition. The information is then assembled into a dental consult
record that may be stored and/or transmitted to a remote computer
where it may be accessed by a consulting provider. The consulting
provider may access the dental consult record at any time, review
the record, add a diagnosis and/or treatment recommendation to the
record, store the record and electronically transmit the record
back to the referring provider. The referring provider may then
administer treatment to the patient as recommended.
Inventors: |
Kudryk, Val L.; (Ashburn,
VA) ; Rocca, Mitra A.; (Frederick, MD) ;
Pajak, John C.; (Baltimore, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OFFICE OF THE STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE
U.S. ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND MATERIEL COMMAND
ATTN: MCMR-JA (MS. ELIZABETH ARWINE)
504 SCOTT STREET
FORT DETRICK
MD
21702-5012
US
|
Family ID: |
23134143 |
Appl. No.: |
10/159984 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60294607 |
Jun 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 10/60 20180101;
G16H 20/90 20180101; G16H 30/20 20180101; G16H 50/20 20180101; G16H
80/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/2 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method in a computer system for generating a dental consult
record comprising: prompting a referring provider to input dental
specialty data to a template; prompting the referring provider to
input patient identification data to the template; prompting the
referring provider to input patient examination results to the
template; prompting the referring provider to input patient history
to the template; linking one or more images to the template; and
storing the template in a storage location.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting a referring provider to
input dental specialty data to a template includes generating a
dental specialty dialog box.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the dental specialty dialog box
includes a drop down menu.
4. The method of claim I wherein prompting the referring provider
to input patient examination results to the template includes
generating a dedicated dialog box for examination results.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the referring provider
to input patient history includes generating dedicated dialog box
for patient history information.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising prompting the referring
provider to input a provisional diagnosis to the template.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein prompting the referring provider
to input a provisional diagnosis to the template includes
generating a dedicated dialog box for the provisional
diagnosis.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a message
to the referring provider responsive to storing the template in the
storage location.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising prompting a consulting
provider to review a dental consult record comprising a template,
prompting the consulting provider to input diagnosis and treatment
data to the template; and storing the template in a storage
location.
10. A data signal embodied in a carrier wave readable by a
computing system and encoding instructions for executing the method
recited in claim 9.
11. A data signal embodied in a carrier wave readable by a
computing system and encoding instructions for executing the method
recited in claim 1.
12. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium
having computer readable program code embodied therein for
performing the method of claim 1.
13. A method in a computer system for generating a dental consult
response comprising: prompting a consulting provider to review a
dental consult record comprising a template; prompting the
consulting provider to input diagnosis and treatment data to the
template; and storing the template in a storage location.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein prompting the
consulting provider to input diagnosis and treatment data includes
generating a dialog box for diagnosis and treatment data.
15. A data signal embodied in a carrier wave readable by a
computing system and encoding instructions for executing the method
recited in claim 13.
16. The method of claim wherein the dental consult record includes
a plurality of images and wherein prompting the consulting provider
to review the dental consult record includes prompting the
consulting provider to view the plurality of images.
17. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium
having computer readable program code embodied therein for
performing the method of claim 13.
18. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium
having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing
a computer to generate a patient's dental consult record, the
computer readable program code comprising: program code for
prompting a referring provider to input dental specialty data to a
template; program code for prompting the referring provider to
input patient identification data to the template; program code for
prompting the referring provider to input patient examination
results to the template; program code for, prompting the referring
provider to input patient history to the template; program code for
linking one or more images to the template; and program code for
storing the template in a first storage location.
19. The article of manufacture of claim 18 further comprising:
program code for prompting a consulting provider to review a dental
consult record comprising the template stored in the first storage
location; program code for prompting the consulting provider to
input diagnosis and treatment data to the template; and storing the
template in a second storage location.
20. The article of manufacture of claim 18 further comprising
program code for manipulating the linked image.
21. The article of manufacture of claim 20 further including
program code for rotating the linked image.
22. The article of manufacture of claim 20 further including
program code for inverting the linked image.
23. The article of manufacture of claim 20 further including
program code for changing the field of view of the linked
image.
24. The article of manufacture of claim 20 including program code
for changing at least one of the contrast and brightness of the
linked image.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application serial No. 60/294,607 filed Jun. 1, 2001 which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to the field of telemedicine
and, more particularly, to systems, methods and articles of
manufacture for facilitating consultation/communication between
referring and consulting providers in the field of dentistry.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Telemedicine has been defined as the use of information
technology to deliver medical services and information from one
location to another as a substitute for face-to-face contact
between provider and client, so that provider and client do not
have to be in the same place at the same time. Teledentistry is the
practice of dentistry using communication technology to carry
information between two or more points.
[0006] Video teleconferencing systems have been used for medical
consultations for some time. Such systems may employ POTS (plain
old telephone systems) and/or ISDN (integrated services digital
network) networks as means for electronic data communication. For
example, the U.S. Army experimented with a dentistry system
comprising a desktop computer having a 28.8 k modem and employing
ShareVision PCS 3000 software and a digital camera to transmit
images from one U.S. Army installation to a second U.S. Army
installation. This system proved to be expensive in terms of the
cost of equipment and maintenance. In addition, the system
exhibited technical drawbacks, e.g., the participants on both ends
of the communication (the referring and consulting providers) must
employ the same POTS-based system. Other drawbacks include the fact
that the examination of the patient must be performed in real time
and that the referring provider cannot append any additional
information to the images transmitted by the system to help the
consulting provider make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment.
[0007] Traditionally, patients requiring dental specialty treatment
are required to travel to the specialist's office for evaluation.
The specialist examines the patient and then treatment options are
given. After treatment by the specialist, there is often a need for
the patient to return for several follow up visits for
re-evaluation. Often, the visits take only a few minutes of actual
appointment time but require hours of travel by the patient. In
some instances, patients will not bother with these appointments
due to inconvenience or economics, thus potentially delaying
treatment or forgoing treatment all together, which may result in
major dental problems in the future. Accordingly, there is a need
for a technology that will reduce unnecessary patient travel by
facilitating patient examination, diagnosis and treatment by
remotely located specialists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a system that
assists a referring provider in treating patients, where the
referring provider is unfamiliar with the patients' specific
condition or ailment.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a system
that permits patients who are separated from dental specialists to
receive expert level care without having to travel to the
specialist.
[0010] These and other objects may be realized by a system and
method in accordance with the invention that provides a store and
forward type electronic consult record with sufficient information
for a dental specialist or consulting provider to render a
diagnosis and to electronically submit that diagnosis back to the
referring provider either in real time or at a later time. The
system provides a series of user interfaces or templates for
collecting data from the referring provider relating to the patient
and the patient's condition. The information is then assembled into
a dental consult record that may be stored and/or transmitted to a
remote computer where it may be accessed by a consulting provider.
The consulting provider may access the dental consult record at any
time, review the record, add a diagnosis and/or treatment
recommendation to the record, store the record and electronically
transmit the record back to the referring provider. The referring
provider may then administer treatment to the patient as
recommended. In addition, because the dental consult is archived in
a storage medium, it may be accessed at any time for teaching or
other purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a computer system in accordance
with the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary network
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a process for generating a
consult request.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a user interface in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is another user interface in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is still another user interface in accordance with
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a consult record in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for answering a
dental consult in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a user interface in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is another user interface in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention is described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings
show preferred embodiments of the invention. Like reference numbers
refer to like elements throughout.
[0022] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
present invention may be embodied as a computer implemented method,
a programmed computer, a data processing system, a signal, and/or
computer program. Accordingly, the present invention may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a
computer program on a computer-usable storage medium having
computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable
computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks,
CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or other storage devices.
[0023] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the
present invention is preferably written in a plurality of languages
including ASP (Active Server Pages), HTML (Hypertext Markup
Language), SQL (Structured Query Language), and C++. However,
consistent with the invention, the computer program code for
carrying out operations of the present invention may also be
written in other conventional procedural programming languages. The
program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, as a
stand-alone software package, or it may execute partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer. In the latter
scenario, the remote computer may be connected directly to the
user's computer via a LAN or a WAN (Intranet), or the connection
may be made indirectly through an external computer (for example,
through the Internet).
[0024] The present invention is described below with reference to
flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and
computer programs in accordance with the several embodiments of the
invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart
illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart
illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions.
These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor
of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create
means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart
block or blocks.
[0025] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction
means or program code that implements the function specified in the
flowchart block or blocks.
[0026] The computer program instructions may also be loaded, e.g.,
transmitted via a carrier wave, to a computer or other programmable
data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to
be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the
flowchart block or blocks.
[0027] In general, the present invention defines a dental consult
management system and method. The invention provides a store and
forward type electronic consult record with sufficient information
for a dental specialist or consulting provider to render a
diagnosis and suggested treatment, to store the diagnosis and
suggested treatment in the patient's electronic record and to
electronically submit that diagnosis and suggested treatment back
to the referring provider either in real time or at a later time.
To that end the invention provides a series of user interfaces or
templates for collecting data from referring provider relating to
the patient and the patient's condition. The information is then
assembled into a dental consult record that may be stored and/or
transmitted to a remote computer where a consulting provider may
access it. The consulting provider may access the dental consult
record at any time, review the record, add a diagnosis and/or
treatment recommendation to the record, store the record and
electronically transmit the record back to the referring provider.
The referring provider may then administer treatment to the patient
as recommended.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0028] Various templates according to the present invention may be
stored locally on a provider's stand-alone computer terminal, such
as a desktop computer, laptop computer, palmtop computer, or
personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like. Exemplary stand-alone
computers may include, but are not limited to, Apple.RTM., Sun
Microsystems.RTM., IBM.RTM., or IBM.RTM.-compatible personal
computers. Accordingly, the present invention may be carried out
via a single computer system, such as a desktop computer or laptop
computer.
[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the templates may be
centrally stored within one or more computers accessible to
multiple users. Accordingly, users may access the templates through
a private or public computer network in a conventional manner via
wired or wireless communications. By maintaining the templates in a
central location, updates can be easily made to the templates by a
system administrator without having to access all of the machines
in the network.
[0030] The present invention is preferably practiced within a
"client/server" programming environment. As is known by those
skilled in this art, client/server is a model for a relationship
between two computer programs in which one program, the client,
makes a service request from another program, the server, which
fulfills the request. Although the client/server model can be used
by programs within a single computer, it is more commonly used in a
network where computing functions and data can more efficiently be
distributed among many client and server programs at different
network locations.
[0031] Many medical software applications use the client/server
model. Typically, multiple client programs share the services of a
common server program. Both client programs and server programs are
often part of a larger program or application. Relative to the
Internet, a Web browser is a client program that requests services
(the sending of Web pages or files) from a Web server (which may be
referred to as a Hypertext Transport Protocol or HTTP server)
typically resident on another computer connected to Internet.
Similarly, a computer with TCP/IP protocol installed allows client
requests for files from File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers in
other computers on the Internet.
[0032] As is known to those with skill in this art, client/server
environments may include public networks, such as the Internet, and
private networks often referred to as "Intranets" and "Extranets."
The term "Internet" shall incorporate the terms "Intranet" and
"Extranet" and any references to accessing the Internet shall be
understood to mean accessing an Intranet and/or an Extranet, as
well unless otherwise noted. The term "computer network" shall
incorporate publicly accessible computer networks and private
computer networks.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with the present
invention. The system includes a referring provider workstation 10,
preferably provided with a web browser. The referring provider
workstation 10 is in communication with at least one of a web
server 12, a database server 14 and an email server 16 via a
communications network. One or more of the database server 14, the
web server 12 and the email server 16 may reside on the same
machine. In keeping with the invention, one or more of the database
server 14, the web server 12 and the email server 16 may also
reside on separate machines. The web server 12 preferably stores
dental consultation form templates according to the present
invention while the database server 14 preferably stores the data
corresponding to those templates.
[0034] A consulting provider workstation 18 is preferably provided
in communication with the referring provider workstation 10 and at
least one of the web server 12, a database server 14 and an email
server 16 via a communications network, e.g., the Internet.
[0035] In operation, upon request of the referring provider, the
referring provider workstation may retrieve a dental consultation
template and the referring provider may input data to the template
to create the dental consultation record. Using a digital imaging
device, e.g., a digital camera 19, the referring provider may make
images of the patient's mouth/teeth and link the images to the
dental consultation record by uploading those images to the
referring provider's workstation from conventional sources, such as
PCMCIA storage cards, and floppy disks. The dental consultation
data may be stored in a database and the consulting provider
notified, preferably by email, that there is a request for consult
pending.
[0036] When responding to request for consult, the consulting
provider may retrieve the dental consult record, review the data
contained therein and input a diagnosis and/or recommended
treatment for the patient to the dental consult record. Thereafter,
the patient's dental consult record may be viewed, by those with
access to web server 12 and database server 14. Preferably, access
to web server 12 and database server 14 is limited to the referring
provider and the consulting provider. However, to the extent
permitted by law, access may be expanded to include, e.g., dental
students, insurance company personnel, and others. FIG. 2
illustrates a client/server computing system in which the present
invention may be embodied. In the illustrated system, remote user's
computer 20 has a client application resident thereon, e.g., a web
browser, and a host computer 22 having a server application
resident thereon, e.g., one or more of web server 12, a database
server 14 and an email server 16. As used herein, the term "remote
user" refers to users who are separated from the web server.
Therefore, the term "remote user" may refer to both the referring
provider's workstation 10 and the consulting provider's workstation
18. The remote user's computer 20 preferably includes a central
processing unit 24, a display 26, a pointing device 28, a keyboard
30, access to persistent data storage, and a communications link 32
for communicating with the host computer 22. The keyboard 30,
having a plurality of keys thereon, is preferably in communication
with the central processing unit 24. A pointing device 28, such as
a mouse, is also connected to the central processing unit24. The
communications link 32 may be established via a modem 34 connected
to traditional phone lines, via DSL lines, an ISDN link, a T1 link,
a T3 link, via cable modem, via an ethernet network, or the like.
Modem 34 may also be a wireless modem configured to communicate
with modem 36 of the host computer 22 via a wireless communications
system. The communications link 32 also may be made by a direct
connection of the remote user's computer 20 to the host computer 22
or indirectly via a computer network, such as the Internet, in
communication with the host computer 22.
[0037] The central processing unit 24 contains one or more
microprocessors (not shown) or other computational devices and
random access memory (not shown) or its functional equivalent,
including but not limited to, RAM, FLASHRAM, and/or VRAM for
storing programs therein for processing by the microprocessor(s) or
other computational devices. A portion of the random access memory
and/or persistent data storage, referred to as "cache," is often
utilized during communications between remote user's computer 20
and a host computer 22 to store various data transferred from host
computer 22.
[0038] Preferably, remote user's computer 20 has an Intel.RTM.
Pentium.RTM. processor (or equivalent) with at least thirty-two
megabytes (64 MB) of RAM, more preferably 128 MB of RAM or greater,
and at least five megabytes (5 MB) of persistent computer storage
38 for caching. However, it is to be understood that various
processors may be utilized to carry out the present invention
without being limited to those enumerated herein. Although a color
display is preferable, a black and white display or standard
broadcast or cable television monitor may be used. It is further
preferred that the remote user's computer 20 be provided with a
client application in the form of a browser such as Netscape
Navigator.RTM. or Internet Explorer.RTM.. Exemplary user computers
having a client application resident thereon may include, but are
not limited to, an Apple.RTM., Sun Microsystems.RTM., IBM.RTM., or
IBM.RTM.-compatible personal computer. Remote user's computer 20,
if an IBM.RTM., or IBM.RTM.-compatible personal computer,
preferably utilizes either a Windows.RTM. 3.1, Windows 95.RTM.,
Windows 98.RTM., Windows NT.RTM., Unix.RTM., Windows 2000 or
OS/2.RTM. operating system. However, other operating systems may
also be utilized without limitation. In addition, it is to be
understood that a terminal not having computational capability,
such as an IBM.RTM. 3270 terminal or a network computer (NC), or
having limited computational capability, such as a network PC (Net
PC) may be utilized in accordance with the present invention for
accessing a host computer 20 in a client capacity.
[0039] A host computer 22 may have a configuration similar to that
of remote user's computer 20 and may include a central processing
unit 40, a display 42, a pointing device 44, a keyboard 46, data
storage 48, and a communications link 50 for connecting to remote
computer 20 via a modem 36, or otherwise. It is preferable that a
host computer 22 have an Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. processor or
equivalent, at least thirty-two megabytes (64 MB) of RAM, more
preferably 128 MB of RAM or greater, and at least two storage
devices, one for data and the other for systems and application
software. The storage device for data preferably has at least 20
Gigabytes of storage and the data storage device for systems and
application software preferably includes at least 4 Gigabytes of
storage. Hard drives are particularly preferred storage devices.
However, other storage devices with the required capacity such as
optical and tape devices are suitable for backup. Host computer 22
also may be implemented using other processors and via other
computing devices, including, but not limited to, mainframe
computing systems and mini-computers.
[0040] Host computer 22 preferably is provided with a web server
and a database. A preferred web server is Microsoft's Internet
Information Server (IIS) 4.0 or higher and a preferred database is
Microsoft's SQL Server 7.0 or higher. The various templates that
comprise the invention may be created using any known web page
creation tool such as Macromedia Dreamweaver. The templates may be
linked to the database using an interface program such as ASP
(Active Server Pages).
[0041] It is understood that remote computer 20 having a client
application resident thereon or host computer 22 having a server
application resident thereon or other apparatus configured to
execute program code embodied within computer usable media, may
operate as means for performing the various functions and carry out
the various operations of the present invention.
[0042] The system of FIG. 2 may be part of a telemedicine system
wherein a referring provider workstation may be in communication
with and remote from a server system. Likewise, a consulting
provider workstation may be in communication with and remote from
the referring provider workstation and the server system.
[0043] In accordance with method aspects of the present invention,
a referring provider may build a dental consult record and transmit
that record to a consulting provider where the consulting provider
may provide a diagnosis and recommended treatment for the patient
and transmit same back to a central treatment repository and/or to
the referring provider. For example, a referring provider located
in Landstuhl, Germany may examine a patient and require the
assistance of a consulting provider who is resident in Washington
D.C. The present invention allows the Landstuhl, Germany provider
to prepare a dental consult record with the information necessary
for the consulting provider to make a diagnosis and suggest a
treatment. The dental consult record may be transmitted over a
computer network so the consulting provider has almost instant
access to the dental consult record. The consulting provider in
Washington D.C. can make her diagnosis and recommendations for
treatment and transmit them back to the referring provider in
Landstuhl, Germany. All of this may be done while the patient is
still in the referring provider's office within a matter of
moments. The patient may then be treated and dismissed. In
addition, the dental consult records may be stored in a central
repository for later review.
[0044] Creating a Dental Consult Record
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for an exemplary method of
generating a consult request according to the present invention. A
referring dentist is prompted to log into a secure server using a
digital secure server ID, e.g., web server 12, preferably via
referring provider workstation 10. Step 100. Upon log in, a dental
consult template is preferably retrieved by referring provider
workstation 10. The referring provider may then be prompted to
choose a specialty from the dental consult template. Step 110. In
step 120 the referring provider may be prompted to input consult
data to the dental consult template, such as, one or more of
patient demographics, complaints, history and a provisional
diagnosis. The referring provider may then be prompted to upload
images and/or digitized radiographs to the dental consult template
to create a dental consult record. Step 130 Responsive to a command
by the referring provider, the referring provider workstation then
sends the data to the web server 12. Step 140. Optionally, a
message may be sent to the consulting provider, e.g., an e-mail,
informing the consulting providers of the existence of the pending
request for consult. Step 150
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 4-7 exemplary user interfaces that
assist the user in creating the dental consult record, according to
one embodiment of the present invention, are depicted. Upon logging
in to the system, the user is initially presented with a user
interface 200 comprising a plurality of prompts as shown in FIG. 4.
As used herein, the term prompt refers to any user interface
element that allows input or selection of data. Exemplary prompts
include dialog boxes, radio buttons, pull down menus, links,
interactive graphical representations, etc. displaying a number of
user options each in the form of links. The user options are
separated into two primary fields, the first field 202 for
submission of new consults and the second field 204 for answering
or reviewing consults.
[0047] When creating a new consult request, the user may select a
dental specialty from dialog box 206. Typically a user who selects
this option is the referring provider. Dialog box 206 includes a
drop down menu so that the user is presented with a list of dental
specialties. Accordingly, the user can select the appropriate
specialty to which the patient's condition pertains. Exemplary
specialties include, but are not limited to, Comprehensive,
Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry,
Periodontics, Prosthodontics, TMD (Temporal Mandibular
Disorder)/Orafacial Pain.
[0048] Upon selection of a dental specialty, user interface 300 is
presented as illustrated in FIG. 5. User interface 300 is
preferably provided with a "Medical Record" field 305, a Patient's
Identification field 310 and a Reasons for Request field 315.
Medical Record field 305 includes a dialog box 320 that includes a
pull down menu to provide the user a list of referring providers.
The user should select the appropriate referring provider from the
list.
[0049] Patient Identification field 310 is provided with a
plurality of prompts intended to capture information about the
patient. The type of information captured in Patient Identification
field 310 may vary depending upon the environment in which the
system is used and the record keeping objectives of the system
administrators. The illustrated embodiment is designed for use in a
military health care system. However, the system may be readily
adapted for use in a civilian health care system.
[0050] Patient Identification field 310 includes dialog box 325
intended for input of the patient's social security number; dialog
box 330 including a pull down menu for identifying the patient's
military status; dialog box 335 intended for input of the patient's
unit; dialog boxes 340, 345 and 350 intended for input of the
patient's last name, first name and middle initial, respectively;
dialog box 355 for input of the patient's date of birth; dialog box
360 including a pull down menu for selection of the patient's sex;
dialog box 365 including a pull down menu for selection of the
patient's military grade; dialog boxes 370 and 375 for input of the
patient's phone numbers.
[0051] Reasons for Request field 315 is provided with a plurality
of prompts intended to capture information relating to the
patient's condition. For example, Reasons for Request field 315
includes dialog box 380 intended for input of the patient's primary
complaint; dialog box 385 intended for input of the patient's
medical history, preferably as it relates to the patient's
complaint; dialog box 390 intended for input of the referring
provider's patient examination notes and findings; dialog box 395
intended for input of the referring provider's preliminary
diagnosis.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6, user interface 400 is provided
with a number of prompts intended to capture information about the
referring provider. The type of information captured by interface
400 may vary depending upon the environment in which the system is
used and the record keeping objectives of the system administrator.
User interface 400 includes Referring Dentist Information field 405
having a dialog box 415 intended for input of the military rank of
the referring provider; dialog boxes 420 and 425 intended for input
of the first and last name of the referring provider, respectively;
and dialog box 430 intended for input of the clinic location at
which the referring provider is located.
[0053] FIG. 6. also includes an upload image field 410. This field
includes a plurality of dialog boxes 435 including menus
facilitating selection of a patient image or digital radiograph
stored on the referring provider's workstation.
[0054] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
after uploading the desired images, the request for consult is
preferably transmitted to the web server and the consulting
provider is preferably notified, e.g., via email, that there is a
pending request for consult. The request for consult may be printed
in any desired form. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one embodiment of
the invention, the request for consult is printed on a standard
military consultation form (SF513). However, the request for
consult may be formatted according to the needs of the user.
[0055] Responding to a Request for Consult
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for an exemplary method of
responding to a consult request according to the present invention.
A consulting provider is prompted to log into a secure server using
a digital secure server ID, e.g., web server 12, preferably via the
consulting provider workstation 18. Step 500. Upon logging in, the
consulting provider is prompted to select and review a pending
request for consult template. Step 510. In step 515 the referring
provider may be prompted to input diagnosis and/or treatment data
to the request for consult template. Responsive to a command by the
consulting provider, the consulting provider workstation then sends
the data to the web server 12. Step 520. Optionally, a message may
be sent to the referring provider, e.g., an email, informing the
referring provider that the pending request for consult has been
answered. Step 525.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 exemplary user interfaces
that assist the consulting provider in responding to the request
for consult, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
are depicted. Upon logging into the system, the consulting provider
is initially provided with a user interface 600 comprising a
plurality of prompts as illustrated in FIG. 9. The prompts are
separated into two primary fields, the first field 605 for
submission of new consults and the second filed 610 for answering
or reviewing consults.
[0058] When answering a request for consult, the consulting
provider may select a request for consult by activating a link 615.
Upon activation of link 615, the consulting provider may be
presented with a user interface 700 (FIG. 10) comprising the data
from the selected request for consult. User interface 700 is
preferably provided with a Patient Information Field 705, a
Complaints and Findings field 710, Referring Provider's Information
field 715, image field 720, diagnosis and treatment field 725 and
Consulting Provider's Information field 740.
[0059] Patient Information field 705 preferably includes data
contained in Patient Identification field 310 of the consult
request (FIG. 5). Complaints and Findings field 710 preferably
includes data contained in the Reasons for Request field 315 of the
consult request (FIG. 5). Referring Provider Information field
preferably includes identifying data for the referring provider
including first and last name, location, date of request and
military rank. The foregoing is exemplary of identifying data and
depending upon the environment in which the invention is employed,
other identifying data may be provided instead of or in addition to
the foregoing.
[0060] Image field 720 is also provided to allow the consulting
provider to view the patient's condition. Image field 720 may
comprise one or more images 726, 727 and 728, i.e. digital images
or radiographs, showing different angles and views of the patient's
dental condition.
[0061] In keeping with a preferred aspect of the invention, an
image manipulation routine is provided that allows the consulting
provider to manipulate the image in a variety of ways. User
Interface 700 is commonly viewed through a traditional web browser.
Typically, embedded images are rendered at their actual size and
shown at their original contrast and brightness by web browsers. In
preferred embodiments, the images are created by a digital camera
and sometimes need to be rearranged, e.g., rotated. The image
manipulation routine allows the consulting provider to perform one
or more of the following: 1) zoom in and out on an image, 2) invert
the image, 3) rotate the image, 4) flip the image, and 5) change
the contrast and brightness of the image.
[0062] Diagnosis and Treatment field 725 includes a plurality of
dialog boxes 730 and 735 intended to capture the consulting
provider's diagnosis and recommended treatment of the patient,
respectively. More particularly, dialog box 730 is a prompt for
input of the consulting provider's diagnosis of the patient and
dialog box 735 is a prompt for the consulting provider's input of
the recommended treatment of the patient.
[0063] Consulting Provider's Information field 740 preferably
includes identifying data for the consulting provider including
first and last name, location, date of consult response and
military rank. The foregoing is exemplary of identifying data that
may be included in the Consulting Provider's Information field 740
and, depending upon the environment in which the invention is
employed, other identifying data may be provided instead of or in
addition to the foregoing.
[0064] After inputting the diagnosis and treatment data, the
modified consult record is preferably stored. The data from the
consult may be stored according in a series of relational databases
either at a remote user computer 20 (one of the referring provider
and the consulting provider workstations) or the host computer
22.
[0065] Industrial Applicability
[0066] The present invention is useful in a number of different
situations illustrated by the following examples.
[0067] 1. A patient who has undergone oral surgery requires a
one-week post surgical suture removal and examination. The patient
returns to the general dentist's clinic and is examined
electronically by the specialist. The specialist makes the
recommendations and determines the disposition of the patient. The
general dentist then accomplishes the necessary treatment.
[0068] 2. A dentist using the present invention can document and
submit claims to a dental insurance company for justification and
documentation of a patient's condition prior to treating the
patient.
[0069] 3. A board certified specialist equipped with the present
invention at a major medical center is sent a consultation and
associated images of a specific dental problem. The specialist
examines the images and recommends treatment options for the
patient to the referring dentist.
[0070] 4. A dentist is preparing to perform a major oral
reconstruction of a patient. Prior to preparing the teeth the
dentist contacts a dental laboratory, sending images of the teeth
and dental casts for evaluation. The dental laboratory is able to
make custom temporaries as well as obtain esthetic views and
specific coloration of the teeth prior to making the permanent
restorations.
[0071] 5. In a dental under served area of the country, a patient
in a general dentist's office is able to have its teeth,
radiographs, and dental casts imaged and recorded online with the
present invention. This information then can be transmitted to a
specialist in a large city or dental center for evaluation and
treatment planning, thus saving the patient travel from one site to
another.
[0072] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to a
limited number of embodiments, it is apparent that variations and
modification may be made therein, and it is therefore intended in
the following claims to cover each such variation and modification
as falls within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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